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File #: ID 25-285    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Action Item Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 2/20/2025 In control: Pending Approval
On agenda: 3/5/2025 Final action: 3/5/2025
Title: Consideration of an appeal regarding the denial of Variance Application No. P24-01598 requesting a variance from the maximum allowable height for a flagpole located at 3028 South Cherry Avenue on the southeast corner of East North and South Cherry Avenues. (Council District 3) - Planning and Development Department. 1. DENY the Appellant's appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning and Development Department Director to deny Variance Application No. P24-01598 requesting the granting of a variance from the maximum allowable flagpole height.
Sponsors: Planning and Development Department
Attachments: 1. Exhibit A - Vicinity Map, 2. Exhibit B - Aerial Photo, 3. Exhibit C - Project Information Tables, 4. Exhibit D - Project Operational Statement, 5. Exhibit E - Project Site Plan, 6. Exhibit F - Project Elevations, 7. Exhibit G - Notice of Intent to Take Action, 8. Exhibit H - Denial Letter, 9. Exhibit I - Appeal Letter, 10. Exhibit J - Notice of Public Hearing, 11. Exhibit K - Draft Conditions of Approval for P24-01598, 12. Exhibit L - Draft Environmental Assessment for P24-01598, 13. Supplemental Exhibit M - Comments Received by Public
REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION



March 5, 2025


FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Planning Director
Planning and Development Department

THROUGH: PHILLIP SIEGRIST, Planning Manager
Planning and Development Department

BY: JOHN GEORGE, Planner III
Planning and Development Department

SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of an appeal regarding the denial of Variance Application No. P24-01598 requesting a variance from the maximum allowable height for a flagpole located at 3028 South Cherry Avenue on the southeast corner of East North and South Cherry Avenues. (Council District 3) - Planning and Development Department.

1. DENY the Appellant's appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning and Development Department Director to deny Variance Application No. P24-01598 requesting the granting of a variance from the maximum allowable flagpole height.

Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Variance Application No. P24-01598 was filed by Jaspal Sidhu of ACE Engineering, on behalf of Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib, and pertains to an existing 25-foot-tall flagpole located at the religious assembly facility located on the southeast corner of East North and South Cherry Avenues. The applicant is requesting to relocate the existing 25-foot-tall flagpole and replace it with a 75-foot-tall flagpole at a new location on the project site.

The project was reviewed for conformance with the required findings to approve a variance in accordance with Section 15-5506 of the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC). The required Findings (a), (b), and (d) could not be made and on December 23, 2024, the Director of Planning and Development denied the Variance application.

On December 30, 2024, the Director's decision to deny the request was appealed by Jaspal S. Sidhu (Exhibit I). The appeal of the Director's decision must now be considered by the Planning Commission.

Staff recommends upholding the Director's denial based on substantial evidence detailed in this staff report that Variance Application No. P24-01598 does not me...

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